Summer Academy Group Shares Columbia River Estuary Expertise

Students in Clatsop Community College’s Summer Academy will host a variety of free interpretation activities related to the Columbia River for the community in the next few weeks.

CCC Summer Academy is part of the Upward Bound Program, a federally funded educational outreach program that motivates and supports 71 high school students in Clatsop County as they prepare for college.

Seven Academy students comprise the project group. Students have been learning about the Columbia River estuary and are excited about sharing their knowledge with the public. In the series of interpretive walks for the community, the students will provide information about coastal temperate rainforests in the area and identify commonly seen plants. They also give an overview of how this region has changed over time. Everyone is welcome to come join the students along the walks at the following locations and dates.

Fort Stevens State Park Parking Lot C- Columbia River South Jetty Viewing Platform
July 23, 10:00 to 11:30 AM
July 25, 10:00 to 11:30 AM
Participants will explore the changes that have occurred at the mouth of the Columbia River over the past 120 years. Participants will begin the walk at the viewing platform and continue on a short hike to a salt marsh.

Cape Disappointment State Park Coastal Forest Loop Trail across the street from the Camping Check-in Point.
July 24, 9:45-11:30 AM
July 26, 9:45-11:30 AM
Participants should park at the beginning of the road to the boat ramp and remember that visitors are required to have a Washington State Parks Pass which is $10 for the day or $30 for an annual pass. Note that the 1.5 mile trail is muddy. Participants will pass through a Sitka spruce old growth forest and stop at an overlook of Baker Bay. The goal of this walk is to explore the coastal temperate rainforest at the mouth of the Columbia River estuary.

Cathedral Tree Trail
August 1, 9:30-10:30 AM
Participants will hike up a steep trail to see the Cathedral Tree. Note that this trail is steep and muddy in parts. The group will explore the temperate rainforest of our region as well as forest succession and some of the edible berries of the forest.